Reg-Comm-WORKSHOP-mtg

# BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TOWN OF REDINGTON SHORES WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. MINUTES

A Workshop Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Redington Shores, Florida was convened at 6:00 p.m.

Members Present: Mayor Commissioner Lisa Hendrickson, Vice Mayor Commissioner Joe Licata, Commissioner CJ Hoyt, Commissioner Tom Kapper, and Commissioner Erin Schoos

Members Absent: none

Other Municipal Officials Present: Mike McGlothlin, Town Administrator; Robert Eschenfelder, Town Attorney; and Margaret Carey, Town Clerk

## 1\. ROLL CALL BY THE TOWN CLERK

## 2\. APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS

Mark Porter from Utility Consultants of Florida spoke before the Board to provide an update about the utility line undergrounding project on Gulf Boulevard. Utility Consultants of Florida is a Project Manager that has been working with Redington Beach and North Redington Beach. The Town of Redington Shores has not signed a contract with any project manager yet. The original RFP for the project included all three Redington communities. It is not required for Redington Shores to follow the other towns, but it would be easier than managing a separate RFP. Redington Shores could “piggyback” the procurement contract. Commissioners directed Administrator McGlothlin to research the original RFP and the original procurement documents and send them to Attorney Eschenfelder for review. This topic will be discussed again at a future meeting.

## 3\. OLD BUSINESS

## a. REPETITIVE LOSS AREA FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT UPDATE

Town Administrator McGlothlin met with Deputy Clerk Patterson who has been researching the two possible grant programs: FMA and HMGP.

The FMA (Flood Mitigation Assistance) program is a pass-through program available to residents for structural improvements to their homes. This program has potential difficulties as was previously pointed out by Attorney Eschenfelder. Administrator McGlothlin spoke with a neighboring City Manager who also cautioned about the program. The application window is currently closed. Staff recommendation is to hold off on the FMA program at this time.

Commissioner Licata asked staff to assemble a concise list of pitfalls with the FMA program that he can share with constituents. Administrator McGlothlin said he can do that and he also offered to hold district-specific meetings to discuss the program with residents.

Commissioner Hoyt asked staff to research flood grant programs that would benefit all residents.

The HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program), explained McGlothlin, is for approved LMS projects which serve to reduce losses in the town. Deputy Clerk Patterson submitted the Intent to Apply paperwork on 3-21-2024. Potential projects include lift station portable emergency generators and stormwater infrastructure improvements. The staff recommendation is to move forward with this program.

* * *

Mayor Hendrickson asked if the two LMS projects are already in our CIP. McGlothlin said they are not currently included, but will be added for FY24-25. Mayor Hendrickson also asked if we have funds in our budget for these projects. Administrator McGlothlin said yes.

## NEW BUSINESS

## b. LIGHT POLLUTION DISCUSSION

Administrator McGlothlin spoke about his previous experience spearheading light pollution projects. Light pollution can be addressed through an Ordinance or through public education. McGlothlin worked with the “Dark Skies” initiative in Oregon. Maybe this could be used as a template.

Commissioner Hoyt spoke about the inconsistency of lights within the town. She has also spoken with Code Enforcement Officer Doherty regarding both town-owned and residential lights. She requested staff to review all streetlights in town and make recommendations. Commissioner Hoyt also spoke about the problem of narrow canals with lots of light reflection.

Mayor Hendrickson spoke about the effect of lights on nesting turtles. There is downloadable material on [www.conserveturtles.org](http://www.conserveturtles.org/). There is also a friendly lighting workshop on April 10th hosted by the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

## c. POLICY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT

Clerk Carey explained that in the past, Commissioners could opt-out of the Town’s health insurance and instead be reimbursed for the cost of their own health insurance premium. She asked if that is a practice the Commission would like to continue and would it be applicable to all employees or just Commissioners. Attorney Eschenfelder advised that a policy for Commissioners would be approved with a Resolution. A policy for employees would be addressed in a Personnel Policy update. Attorney Eschenfelder will prepare a Resolution to be considered at a future Regular meeting.

## d. SUMMER INTERNS

Clerk Carey explained the Town’s Personnel Policy allows for internship opportunities. The Town Administrator and Town Clerk each have potential internship opportunities within their departments and are seeking 1-2 interns. The internships would be paid and would be targeting college students primarily, but would not rule out high school students. The positions are part time and temporary summer assignments. Clerk Carey said the recruitment process would be the same as with any other Town employment opportunity.

## e. REDINGTON SHORES MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

Clerk Carey explained the Clerk’s Office currently offers Redington Shores t-shirts for sale at Town Hall. The shirts are quite popular and visitors have started asking for other merchandise since there are no stores in town offering Redington Shores specific merchandise. Clerk Carey brought a variety of hats and other merchandise for the Commissioners to see. The Commissioners approved of offering additional merchandise. Clerk Carey will continue to research possible items.

## f. BLOOD DRIVE

Administrator McGlothlin received an invitation to host a community Blood Drive with One Blood. The organization parks their red bus in the Town Hall parking lot on the day of the event, which can be scheduled any day in June, July or August. Commissioners agreed to hosting the event.

## g. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR UPDATES

FY24-25 BUDGET – Administrator McGlothlin is working on developing the Town’s 5 year CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). McGlothlin will meet with staff during the month of April to discuss budget requests and will present the tentative projects to the Board of Commissioners at the May Workshop meeting. At that meeting we can establish goals, objectives, projects, and priorities for the coming years. The budget process will begin in June and wrap up in September.

* * *

TOWN RECEPTIONIST – Administrator McGlothlin announced that he and Clerk Carey met to discuss updating the Town Receptionist title to Administrative Support Specialist. This title is more in line with the actual duties of the position.

## 4\. MISCELLANEOUS

Regular Meeting- Wednesday, April 10, 2024 – 6:00 P.M. Workshop Meeting – Wednesday, April 24, 2024 – 6:00P.M.

## 5\. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:49 pm.

Respectfully submitted,